P.PSH.1000 Final Report

Summary

Feed efficiency underpins the profitability of beef enterprises. Efficient conversion of nutrients into beef influences growth and reproductive performance. For pasture-based beef enterprises the drivers that influence efficiency are poorly understood.

Through an integrative approach including grazing behaviour and efficiency, feedbase evaluation and digestive performance in the rumen this project aimed to identify key factors that showed demonstrative improvements in efficiency in both temperate and tropical conditions. These drivers were examined through a series of coordinated studies.

Key nutrient deficiencies were identified, and tactical supplementation devised. Measurement is impossible without knowing feed intake. This knowledge gap of measuring efficiency on pasture was addressed with development of new understanding of grazing behaviour and pasture intake using on-animal sensors.

The interplay between the diet, grazing behaviour and rumen fermentative efficiency was revealed through integrated pasture-pen feeding experiments that quantified the relative importance of genotype, animal behaviour and digestive efficiency. The project has produced novel supplementation strategies, novel pasture intake methods and new insights into efficiency on pasture. These outputs will require ongoing development and adoption with commercial and industry partners.

Objectives

This project studied ruminant efficiency, acknowledging the interplay between characteristics of the pasture sward, animal behaviour and the resulting digestive efficiency in the animal across the grazing life of an individual within a herd. This proposal delivers outcomes under a series of integrated experiments in five key areas:

• next generation supplementation for optimum ruminant function

• survey of breeder properties to determine nutrient deficiencies

• refining a pasture intake measurement tool based on grazing behaviour

• identifying superior efficiency rumen phenotypes

• Identifying traits for superior grazing efficiency.

Key findings

The research demonstrates positive benefits for industry that have significant impact when implemented in a co-ordinated, additive fashion. These include,

the provision of methyl donors to nutritionally stressed breeders can influence calf performance in the short and potentially long term

an algorithm that can predict pasture intake from a combination of grazing behaviours including time spent grazing, ruminating and bite rate

identification of key pasture/animal factors that contribute to performance on pasture with the objective of using key indicators to predict future performance.

Benefits to industry

The adage “you can’t manage what you can’t measure” is particularly relevant for the grazing industry. This research demonstrates that previously unmeasurable components of the pasture/animal interface influencing performance and efficiency can now be measured. The path to adoption for these developments will involve intermediary development with the private agri-sector, research and development corporations (RDCs), state departments and the entrepreneurial spirit of early adopters in the industry. Outputs of this project will help the industry adopt an integrative management model that embraces new technology and understanding. This will lead to improved pasture management and profitability of grazing beef enterprises.

MLA action

MLA using the outcomes of this project to inform new investments, create adoption material or create new opportunities for industry.

Future research

The outcomes of this project were expected to be further developed through a continuation of the Livestock Productivity Partnership. It is strongly recommended that targeted support will be required to ensure adoption. A mixed model that includes researchers, RDCs, ag-tech companies, feed manufacturers, extension and consultancy agents and producers in a cooperative development and extension model is envisaged. A successful MDC model could be a suitable vehicle to allow this to happen.